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Walker: Senate Dems need to return to Wis.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

February 20, 2011

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the 14 Democratic state senators who fled the state to delay a vote on a sweeping anti-union bill need to come back to Wisconsin and do their jobs.

He told Fox News on Sunday that if Democrats want to participate in democracy they need to be in the arena, not hiding out. The senators' disappearance has left the Senate one vote short of a quorum.

Walker's bill would require government workers to contribute more to their health care and pension costs. It would also largely eliminate their collective bargaining rights.

The proposal has spawned five days of massive protests.

Walker says unions have too much power and his bill will prevent layoffs and help tackle a projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall.